Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-06
noW!n replied the planter.

selves all you can, for you have work
ahead of you, and will need all you sscan
get!" said the ranger, as he fastened to
pick out his guard and arrange for the
continuance of the chase.
These matters were soon attended to,
and with thirty picked men, who laid
aside every article, even to their blan-
kets, which might add to the burden of
their horses, retaining only their arms,
he mounted, and took Lagona's
now we'll known and clearly defined
trail. Before he left, however,
he charged the lieutenant, whom
he left in command of the guard to shoot
the prisoners like SO many dogs if they
attempted to escape, "And," said he,
<don't miss that hapg-dog looking viii
lain, their leader. I want his skin to
make saddle cover of"
"Mine's no more dog skin than your
own, old rum-headI" shouted Malerson,
turning almost black WITH anger.
The ranger smiled grimlv, and, driving
his spurs into his horses tanks, rode of
at the head OF his little column at full
speed.
CHAPTER KXXYIu.
magnificent scene! The sun was
Just gliding the great black and gray
cliffs of the Sierras Charrate, upon
which, like Gwarfy sentinels, stood q few
gnarled and cGriously shaped trees. And
down through narrow gorge-deep, dark
and terrible in its very wildness, rushed a
stream of foaming, flashing, roaring
water. And into this cavernous gorge.
on path so narrow that there was only
delicate and scarce tenable footing for a
single horse at time, led the trail of
Lagona.
In front Of this the bold ranger halted,
for though all WAS still and dark beyond,
he had too often met the wiley red man
not to know that there was danger in
such silence.
. "He has chosen a safe hiding place,
and that is the worst pass in the whole
range!" muttered Mccullough to Paul
and DeloTme, as be halted at the head Of
his men before the gorge.
"Hsve you entered it before?" asked
Delorme.
"Yes-once, after we had lost nearly
half our men; and then it was defended
by only four warriors. We charged on
foot. It was terrible; we lost twenty
men-good and true Ones-for four pal
try redskin scalps. Once within the
mountains, there is the prettiest spot of
valley land that you ever laid eyes on
$1,000 head of horses could pasture there;
and it is likely that Lagona's main camp
is in there, since he has steered so direct
for the pass!'
"MOst likely 1t is guarded"
"Without doubt it is! !" said the ran
ger. "Probably 1t is never left without
8 sentinel; but our first warning, if we
advance, will be our faces full of ar
rowS."
"Let me be the first to lead the way!"
said Paul, eagerly.
"And the first to fall when you're en-
g9ged to be married, and on the hunt
after your bride!" cried Major Ben. 81
reckon that isn't quite the game for you.
But lend me your pocket handkerchief, If
it's white, young man. III try and see
tkere is chance for a parley. Where
we cannot take we may buy-where we
can't brighten we may bargain
The handkerchief was prodL ard,
lffixing it to ramrod, the MAJ rode
slowly forward. But he had not ridden
twenty PAGES before Lagona himself, with
= white flag on lance, appeared, and at
MS bsck as many armed warriors as could
OG ptChSu dlDUS ll0 udIEOW IIdH.
"The pale face has come far enough
what does he want?' asked the proud
chief, in naughty tone.
"Tbe psle-faCe planter is weeping for
lis daughter, whom you have stolen
away! Lagona is great chief, mighty
brave. and should scOrl to be theft
said Mccullough, who knew we'll on what
point to touch the proud nature of an In
best, also, to fiatter him.
"Lagona is not a thief" replied the
chief, sullenly. "The Great Spirit babe
hin take the daughter of the pale-face, aud
le has done it. She shall be his wife,
md the mother of great brayes!"
"Dog of an Indian, give her to me, or
1ght me here, single handed, till one or
both die!" shouted Mr.. Deiorme.
"You are on old man-my ears are
closed to your Words-I will not fight |
7ou!" said Lagona, quietly.
Eight me; am notold-fght me? you
ed coward" shouted Paul.
"Boy, you are fool! &C, and find an
ether squaw" shouted LagOns.
eyes; for your Stella is appropriated" !
;ried Ada McAlpin, advancing to the side !
# the Comanche chief.
offend! All of your band is captured |
nd shall hang!" cried Paul, furious with
niger.
$50 son will hang his father? Well,
10 better can be expected from periured
wretch like you!" cried Ada, scornfuIly
"What ransom will you take for your
aptive?" asked Mccullough, cautioning
Paul and Mr.. Delorme not to interfere
urther with his plans.
"Fill up this gorge with gold, and l
Vill not give her up!" cried Lagona,
ngrily. "If you want her come and
axe her. But you had better go back;
lore than 5000 braves ask for your scalps
do not wish blood to run; therefore,
axe friends warning and go back"
"Will you not attack US if we camp and
IKE night to thiDk OF it?" asked the
DOL and polite ranger.
"No; not without you attempt to pass
ne gorge; if you do, your blood is ours
nd not your own!" said the chief.
eve will camp and ask the Great Spirit
we shall turn back or not" said Nc
ullough.
at is WE'LL" said Lagona; and as he
'wered his flag and waved his hands his ,
arriors fell back; and soon nothing but
lack rocks, rugged trees and rushing 9
alter, could be seen before the Rangers !
0sition.
Selecting a nook in the cliff near by,
here they could only be assailed from
ae point, the Major, Ben Mccullough,
-dered his men to encamp. t
"For Gods sake, why this delay. sir?" I
ked Paul. "Why do you not attack g
lie Indians at once?" Q
"Young man, life is worth something 4
others, if it is yalueless to you. | y
we never been noted for any very extra s
re of mg own; but when l lose it l o
ant an equivalent. Now, l consider
Yself worth, at least, 100 of those red \
wills. I've laid out sixty or seventy at b
Id SMELLS. If is fruo-hut IL ri 10 "